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Flatbush

Cheers to Darin Ricks, a poet who knew it. The Standing O pal, who is studying for his G.E.D., stood in front of an audience and read his poem at the New York City Poetry Festival that was held last month on Governor’s Island.

The Flatbush resident has faced a long period of recovery after sustaining a traumatic brain injury in 2002. But he never let that stop him. He attends classes in reading, writing, and math, while continuing with his rehabilitation, and is planning on going to college and fulfilling his dream of one day using his gift to work in the arts.

Darin, who won the Literacy Partner’s Poetry Contest on the island, believes you have to take every opportunity and run with it.

“I love learning new things and having different experiences,” he said. “My studies have given me a new focus after my injury, and knowing that I am improving my job prospects is driving me to succeed.”

East New York

Give blood a chance

Help — she needs somebody, not just anybody, but someone who can donate bone marrow that matches hers. Standing O buddy Tiffany suffers from Sickle Cell disease and ulcerative colitis. Just 11 years old, she spends most of her days in pain instead of playing, going to school, and enjoying life. She is in desperate need of a bone-marrow transplant. Standing O friend Emerald Chapter No. 81, Prince Hall Order Eastern Star, State of New York is hosting a bone marrow drive on Sept. 21 to help out Tiffany and other children who are in need.

Brighton Beach

It’s Podhaizer Way

Community activist Paul Podhaizer did much for his community as a tireless advocate who constantly sought to improve the quality of life for the members of his neighborhood of Brighton Beach. Paul was also the democratic district leader in the 46th Assembly District, chairman of his tenant’s council in Brightwater Towers, veep of Temple Beth Abraham, and a long-standing member of Community Board 13.

Now, thanks to the efforts of Councilman Domenic Recchia, (D–Coney Island), the northeast corner of Seabreeze Avenue at W. Fifth Street was officially co-named “Paul Podhaizer Way,” for the late activist who died in 2010, on Aug. 22. The good councilman told Standing O, “Paul’s love for his community was second to none, and his contributions have improved the lives of the people in Brighton Beach and Coney Island.”

Now with this renaming, his memory will live on forever.

Bensonhurst

What a toothy grin

Smiles to the students at Bishop Kearney, who won first place in the “Dental Society of New York’s Creative Poster Contest.” Caroline Johnson aced first place and Christina Severe took home second place bragging rights.

Bishop Kearney High School [2202 60th St. at Bay Parkway in Bensonhurst, (718) 236–6363].

Carroll Gardens

Stop the presses

Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen RC Church will be hosting the annual Our lady of Sorrows Procession and Mass on Sept. 8. St. Stephen is the borough’s first Italian Roman Catholic parish. This is the 65th annual procession and will conclude with a fireworks display and mass celebrated by the Rev. Msgr. Steven Aguggia, director of the National Italian Apostolate Conference, and Rev. Msgr. Guy Massie, pastor of Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen Church and former recipient of a Standing O. The statute of Our Lady of Sorrows will be carried from the church at 3 pm and brought about the neighborhood.